Lakers 101, Hornets 95

Pau Gasol had to have a monster scoring output, and Kobe Bryant had to play more minutes in any non-overtime game of the season.

But the Lakers did what it took Saturday to avoid a fourth loss in five games and hold off the short-handed New Orleans Hornets, 101-95.

New Orleans was missing key players Emeka Okafor, Trevor Ariza and Jason Smith because of injuries, but the Hornets still managed to shoot 49.4 percent from the field with the help of 15 Chris Paul assists.

Gasol had 34 points on 13-of-17 shooting from the field. Bryant played 43 minutes and finished with 32 points, nine rebounds and five assists. Ron Artest had three steals and three blocks and had a heavy run again with 34 minutes.

The Lakers had just four turnovers -- a big reason the Hornets did not record a single fast-break point.

Derek Fisher drew a key charge on Chris Paul down the stretch, and New Orleans' Marcus Thornton missed an open jumper after a defensive miscommunication between Bryant and Lamar Odom.

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